VALLEY BOY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25273, 27 August 1947, Page 4

VALLEY BOY

RACING

A POSSIBILITY IN THE AVONDALE CUP Top-weight with 9-0 and likely favourite for the Avondale Cup, the first of the *big spring handicaps to be run in the North Island, is Valley Boy. which has not started since the winter meeting at Trentham last month. Although he did not win a race, Valley Boy was one of the outstanding performers at the meeting. He carried 9-10 into third place in tne Whyte Handicap after having to avoid some of the fallen horses in the accident in the race. He finished second to Longsword with 9-12 in the Parliamentary Handicap after being, nearly brought down about four furlongs from home. Ou the last day Valley Boy ran third in the Winter Oats Handicap with 10-1 after being well back at the home turn. Before racing at Trentham. Valley Boy had won the first division of the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie with 9-0. and the Duke of Gloucester Cup (10-7 minimum). at Te Rapa with 12-7 In the Avondale Cup Valley Boy is handicapped to give Howe 21b and Chung Chong, the winner of the second division of the Cornwall Handicap with 8-7. 111 b. In the circumstances Valley Boy appears to have beer, quite favourably treated, and although he seems to be at his best under winter conditions success for him would be well earned after his good but unlucky performances at Trentham.

Team for Wingatui The Washdyke trainer, F. Trllford, will have Cloister. Wee Mac. and Verdant racing at the Otago Hunt Club’s meeting. Cloister will contest the Otago Hunt Cup. He did not race up to expectations in his two starts at the Grand National meeting. In the Enfield Steeplechase on the first day he fell, but he got round safely and finished fourth in the Hunt Cup on the last day. In that race he lost ground through jumping big, but he should benefit by the experience. Wee Mac is engaged in the Seaview Hack andHunters’ Hurdles, and the Vauxhall Hack Handicap, but he will probably race in the hurdle race, in which he will be an interesting newcomer. Wee Mac was schooled over hurdles soon after he joiner‘ Trilford’s stable, the Intention being to prepare him for hurdle races, but he was tried again on the flat and raced a good deal more solidly than previously, registering two wins and three second placings in six starts. Verdant is engaged in the Tally Ho Handicap, of one mile, and may be given a good spell after the meeting. Forage, another member of tnc team, has been sent home for a spell. He has raced poorly in his recent starts. Beau le Havre’s Programme Peau le Havre, ridden by W. Connor, galloped five furlongs on the course proper between races at the Combined Hunt Club’s meeting at New Plymouth last Saturday. He was timed to run the first furlong in 12 4-ssec, the first two in 25 3-5 Bee, and the last three in 37 4-ssec, making Imin 2 2-ssec for the full distance. He galloped in the centre of the track and covered extra ground on the turns. Beau le Havre is reported to have done a lot of work at Stratford since he raced at Trentham, and looked well last Saturday. He galloped effortlessly and well within himself. If present intentions are adhered to Beau le Havre will have his first race in the Harcourt Stakes at Trentham in October. It is stated that it is not intended to start him in races shorter than a mile this season.

May Have Wind Affliction After his promising form as a two-year-old last season. Demonic was expected to be a contender for three-year-old honours this season. He madd his reappearai.ee in the Rakaiatai Handicap on the second day of the Hunt Club’s meeting at Hastings this month, and after trailing tne leaders to the straight weakened in the run home. The race was expected to improve him and it was thought that he might race prominently against the open sprinters in the Waihau Handicap at New Plymouth last Saturday, but he again trailed the leaders to the straight and weakened in the run home, finishing well back It is reported that Demonic makes a ncise when galloping, and he may have respiratory trouble. It will be disappointing if Demonic is so affected. After winning the Avondale Handicap and the Great Northern Foal Stakes last season he was then put aside to develop. As. he is a big framed colt, with plenty of scope for development, that policy would have paid dividends nine times out of 10, and his connexions deserve better fortune Sign of the Times

Last season 24 sires were represented by progeny which won a total of £lO,OOO or more as compared with 21 in the previous season. Of the 24 sires in this year’s list six are dead and five have been exported to Australia, while three others are almost past their days of usefulness.

May be Well Supported After his good performance in the Patea Handicap at New Plymouth last Saturday, Precedency is not likely to lack support:: if he is taken north to contest the Avondale Cup, in which he has 7-10. He has now won five races, two over nine furlongs, and three over a mile and a quarter, and the mile and three furlongs journey in the Avondale Cup is not likely to trouble him. Left in Front

EHerton Hall took time to strike form this winter, but has registered two firsts and a second ih his last three starts. He Won each day at the Hawke’s BayDannevirke Hunt Clubs’ meeting, but was outsayed by Pomade in the Hunt Cup Steeplechase at New Plymouth last Saturday. Apart from the fact that he was conceding Pomade 351 b in the race, Ellerton Hall was unlucky in that he was left in front some distance from home. He jumped splendidly. Impressive Hack Winner Kia Ora Katoa was credited with an Impressive performance when he outclassed the hacks in the Waverley Handicap at New Plymouth. He took charge at the home turn and won by two lengths, but his margin could have been greater. Kia Ora Katoa is a four-year-old gelding by Saleve, which has been represented by some very moderate performers, from Lalene, by Mintleaf from Gold Mom. by Acre from Ribbonwork, by Camp Fire. Kia ■ Ora Katoa has not raced very much and he has shown improvement recently, having registered two firsts and a third in his last three starts. Royal Robe Sold The disappointing Royal Chief gelding Royal Robe has been sold by Mr G. H. Humphries, and in future will be trained by J. A. Wilson at Mosgiel. Overdue for Win Miss Bairnsfather, the runner-up to Pan Walla in the second division of the Wereroa Stakes at New Plymouth last Saturday, has finished in a place in four of her five starts to date, and is overdue for a win. She showed a lot of speed last Saturday, but Pan Walla had her measure over the last half-furlong. Miss Bairnsfather is a three-year-old filly by the Siegfried horse Old Bill, which is standing at the stud at Hornby at present, from Fraise, by Potoa from Fraisette, by Valais. She is trained at New Plymouth by H. Dulieu. First Winner for Season J. G. Farrell, the leading trainer last Beason, had his first winner for this season when Middoon won the Ladies’ Bracelet Handicap at New Plymouth on Saturday Middoon is a five-year-old gelding by Midian from Lady Doreen, and it was his first win.' His previous form has been moderate. Surprise Favourite

Vernon was surprisingly sent out favourite for the Hunt Cup Steeplechase at New Plymonuth last Saturday. He had been placed behind Ellerton Hall in his two previous starts at Hastings, but his form had really been very moderate, and it was not surprising that he was beaten into third place on Saturday.